Snopes says this is true- scary

[86er]

I got this email today and did Snope this myself and Snopes does concur. (I don't trust when an email says "Snopes says this is true.")

Here is the link: Snopes

I assume this would hold especailly true for the cruise control on our bikes!

 

 

 

-----Original Mes-------

 

You may have seen this before but a reminder never hurts!

 

 

 

I wonder how many people know about this ~ A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane, and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

 

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON.

 

She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and take off like an airplane.

 

She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred. The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning.

 

We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

 

The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.

 

If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it.

 

You might have saved a life.

 

 

 

NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna Limited XLE) will not allow you to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on.

 

 

[mini-muffin]

Wow that's interesting. Mind you I never use cruise control anyway. I hate thinking the car is taking care by itself. Plus the car I have now it doesn't work.

 

Margaret

[SaltyDawg]

Known for a long time not to drive with CC on in the rain, snow, or ice. If I'm not mistaken it's also a warning that is in each cars owners manual, at least it was on my Ranger.

[Condor]

Heard that 30 years ago. But take off and fly.... I don't think so. Panic and the first thing you hit is the brakes and the cruise will disconnect . And a car ain't got no wings.....

[WIKD]

Lose control, yes. Fly in the air, NO. Snopes does confirm you will lose control because the speed control will try and accelerate but also says the flying in the air is an over exaggeration of someone trying to describe what it felt like.

[yamahamer]

also never use cruise control if you are sleepy!

[juggler]

Wow! The misinformation is flowing today.

 

Fact: Using cruise control on slippery surfaces (rain, snow, ice) can lead to loss of control due to hydroplaning. This is true for our venture's cruise control as well.

 

However, with proper training you can learn how to respond to hydroplaning (with or without cruise control) and prevent the loss of control. Most cars today have steering wheel controls for the CC. Hitting the cancel or off button for the CC will get you under control real fast without the dangerous side effects of slamming on the breaks. Tapping the brake pedal enough to trigger the brake light and cancel the CC but not enough to apply braking pressure is also a good way to safely turn off the CC when you need to do so quickly. Most people jump on the brake pedal when something goes wrong and many times that is exactly the WRONG thing to do.

 

Fact: Some newer cars with traction control systems can (not always) prevent this. I don't rely on this.

 

Fact: Cars do NOT fly. (Unless your diving the old Aerocar). But they do slide and hydroplane real nice. It's kind of fun and can lead to a flying like sensation until you hit that dry spot and then "You've lost that flying feeling".

 

(It's real fun sliding sideways in a 1978 Dodge van at 70 mph on black ice. Then I hit that dry patch of road. WOW! That brought me back to earth real fast. And due to proper counter steering, controlled braking and throttle control the van straightened out without flipping, swerving or leaving my traffic lane.) The real key is NEVER PANIC! Panicking leads to mistakes. And wear your seatbelt. When our car goes sliding or spinning your seat belt keeps you behind the wheel, which is where you need to be to regain control.

 

Fact: Most drivers do not have the training and driving experience needed to properly handle their vehicle's when something goes wrong. The only good driving classes I've seen are private performance driving and LEO/EMS driving classes. None of these classes are required or even suggested in order for you to get your DL.

 

Here is a training class you can give yourself. Take your car to an empty parking lot in the middle of the night when it's raining or when it's snow covered. Then drive your car. Spin it, slide it, get out of control then recover it back in control. Learn how your car handles. My father showed me how to do this and taught me how to drive. (He had military, racing and LEO/EMS drivers training.) I've done this with every vehicle I've owned and I can always handle it when the road surface is against me.

 

 

AND SLOW DOWN.

 

 

[Dragracer]

Also, most cars are now equipped with at least one on-board computer. The PCM (powertrain control module) handles most all the engine and trans electronics, including the cruise control. If the PCM detects a sudden increase in rpm and/or vehicle speed, it will dis-engage the crusie control automatically. This doesn't mean you can't loose control of the car, it just means you can concentrate on steering and braking, not hunting the cruise control on/off switch.

[86er]

Hey juggler, you can do the same thing in a gravel parking lot too,

that is if you can find one!